Albania - December 2023

Parliament lifts immunity for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha

The parliament revoked former President and Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s immunity on 21 December. Berisha, who faces corruption charges from the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), currently leads the opposition Democratic Party. The decision received support from 75 MPs, slightly over half of the 140 assembly members, with 73 votes coming from the ruling Socialist Party group and two from Social Democrat MPs. Following this, Berisha was placed under house arrest for violating prior restrictive measures and was prohibited from traveling abroad.

Sources: International IDEA, Tirana Times, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), The Guardian, Top channel